Missouri Amateur Championship Qualifying Information
Missouri Amateur Match Play Portion - Back to tradition...
2009 Recap Host Venue of 2009 St Joseph Country Club in St. Joseph, MO Champion- Skip Berkmeyer of St. Louis, MO
June 28, 2009 - St. Joseph Country Club - Ten years ago, Skip Berkmeyer finished business he started in 1998 when he lost in the Missouri Amateur Final by winning his first Missouri Amateur Championship at Highland Springs Country Club.
Last year, on the 10 year anniversary of Berkmeyer's first trip to the Missouri Amateur Finals, he lost again, this time to fellow Chaminade graduate Justin Bardgett.
As fate would have it, Berkmeyer found himself making another run at Missouri Golf History and in his way was none other than Justin Bardgett as the two would meet in the 2009 Missouri Amateur Championship Final. It marked the first time in the hundred plus years of Missouri Amateur history that two players would compete in consecutive finals against each other.
While the 2009 version of Berkmeyer vs. Bardgett started much like the 2008 version did, the ending was much different. En route to winning the title in 2008, Bardgett got off to a great start with birdies on the first two holes of the 36 hole final. Bardgett did that one better in 2009, making birdies on the first three holes of competition, building a 2up lead in the match. But unlike 2008, when Berkmeyer struggled to get the putter going and the match ended in a comfortable victory for Bardgett, the 2009 version of Berkmeyer vs. Bardgett was going down to the wire. Past the wire to be exact.
Thirty six holes wasn't enough to decide this year's final match. Neither player held more than a 2up lead during the match and no 2up lead lasted for more than one hole as the two players traded birdies and solid pars during both the morning and afternoon sessions. Bardgett had a stretch of 7 holes where he was leading the match. Berkmeyer enjoyed a 6 hole stretch in the lead. The match was just that competitive and that close all day long.
So when Berkmeyer entered the 35th hole with a 1up lead, nobody was surprised when Bardgett made eagle to square the match for the 7th time. Nor were spectators enjoying the competition surprised when Berkmeyer holed an eight foot putt for birdie to halve the 36th hole, extending the match to extra holes.
So on a hole that each player had birdied in the final match, the match would be decided. The short par 4, 1st hole offered players a choice of club selection that could ultimately make or break their chances at a 2nd Missouri Amateur Championship. Both players elected to stay aggressive, hitting driver at the green. After Bardgett hit his approach shot to the back of the green and missed from 30 feet, Berkmeyer stood over a 3 foot putt for birdie and the Missouri Amateur Championship. Berkmeyer holed the 3 foot putt and in doing so, joined the small fraternity of players to win multiple Missouri Amateur Championships.
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Championship Facts
103rd Missouri Amateur Championship June 22-27, 2010 Twin Oaks Country Club, Springfield, Missouri
WHO CAN PLAY - Entries are open to male amateur golfers who play at clubs or courses who are members of the Missouri Golf Association with a certified handicap index of not more than nine (9.0) on the USGA men's handicap system.
Those players not on the USGA GHIN handicap system must produce a copy of their current handicap card showing both index and date of revision to the MGA office.
ENTRIES – Entrants including exempt players shall apply on MGA forms. *A $140 entry fee shall be paid by every applicant in the Championship.
*Entry fees for 2010 Qualifying Round fee: $100 Championship fee: $40 Last Chance Qualifier: $40
Entry Deadline: May 10, 2010
QUALIFYING ROUND INFORMATION
REFUNDS - Cancellations before the close of entries will be refunded less a $30 fee. No refunds after the deadline date.
CADDIES/CARTS - Each player may walk or ride on a cart during the practice round and the 36 hole qualifying rounds only. A caddie may be used at any time during the Championship and the caddie may ride, however the participant must walk during the match play portion of the Missouri Amateur Championship.
SCHEDULE - Competition will be in two stages: 1. QUALIFYING ROUND - 18 hole stroke play. 2. CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS - 156 qualifiers with exemptions. (A) STROKE PLAY - 36 holes stroke play to determine 64 players for match play. A tie for 64th place shall be decided immediatly by a hole-by-hole play-off.
Monday - June 21 Practice round Tuesday - June 22 First round, 18 holes Wednesday - June 23 Second round, 18 holes Cut to 64
(B) MATCH PLAY - General numerical draw will be used. Players can not ride in carts during Match Play. Thursday - June 24 AM - First round, 18 holes Friday - June 25 AM - Second round, 18 holes PM - Third round, 18 holes SATURDAY - June 26 AM - Fourth round, 18 holes PM - Semi-final round, 18 hole SUNDAY - June 27 Final, 36 holes
EXEMPTIONS: Players in the categories below shall be eligible for exemption from pre-qualifying.
1) All former Missouri Amateur Champions.
2) Top 12 players from 2009 MGA Points lists: Jace Long, Brian Haskell, Chris Johnson, Will Harold, Skip Berkmeyer, Brad Nurski, Darren Lundgren, Matt Miller, Scott Hovis Brevin Giebler, Aaron Murphy & Dalton Owens.
3) All 2009 MGA individual Champions: Junior Amateur - Ryan Zech Junior Match Play - Chris Martin Amateur - Skip Berkmeyer Stroke Play - Matt Miller Senior Amateur - Scott Edwards Mid Amateur - Brian Haskell
PRIZES - Winners Missouri State Championship ring, appropriate silver and the Traveling Trophy for one year. Runner Up & Semi Finalists - Silver Lowest Qualifying Score - Silver Those players making match play - gift certificates.
NO OTHER REMUNERATION - By his applicaiton, an entrant certifies that he is not entitled to remuneration of any kind for participation in the MGA championship other than the aforementioned prizes.
Hotel - The Drury Hotel is the official hotel for all MGA events.
Click here for room reservations and hotel information
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